Parallel Dream
Down in the mire, flat on my face,
Capturing beauty, perfection, and grace.
A marsh orchid bloomed in a delicate glow,
Where few ever linger and fewer still go.
Its petals stood proud on a slender green stem,
As morning light settled so softly on them.
While trefoil surrounded, in a golden array,
And melted to bokeh then drifted away.
Beyond it another purple orchid would gleam,
Though softened to little more than a dream.
A wash of pale colour, a whisper of bloom,
Dissolving in circles of velvety gloom.
The world through the viewfinder faded away;
Just blossom and colour where moments would stay.
The sharpness was measured by fractions so small,
While the soft gentle bokeh surrounded it all.
The reeds stood like sentries, six feet in the air,
Bullrushes dancing with scarcely a care.
They bordered the marsh where the footpath ran by,
And swallowed me whole from each passerby’s eye.
To anyone passing, I’d melted away,
As still as the reeds in the warmth of the day.
The camera rested, the shutter on hold,
While damselflies shimmered like flecks of pure gold.
I fiddled with focus by fractions of hair,
Adjusting the tripod with infinite care.
One breath held too deeply could soften the scene;
One careless movement would shatter the green.
The marsh gave its perfume of water and earth,
Of summer-grown sedges and slow-growing birth.
The breeze barely stirred through the rushes around;
Even silence itself seemed to whisper a sound.
Then somewhere beyond my invisible lair,
A cheerful voice floated lightly through the air.
A lady approached with a dog at her heel,
Enjoying the sunshine with leisurely zeal.
They chatted together — or so it would seem;
Quite unaware I’d become part of the scene.
Hidden completely from curious eyes,
I’d blended with nature in perfect disguise.
The image was taken; the shutter had sung.
My knees had gone stiff and my ankles were numb.
I pushed myself upright with one muddy hand,
Like some ancient creature returning to land.
Up burst a strange figure from the reeds overhead —
At least that’s the version that lived in her head!
A camera dangling, with mud on his knees,
Emerging full-height from the towering reeds.
Her poor little dog scarcely looked back;
It launched like a rocket straight down the track.
The lady gave quite an impressive retreat,
Displaying remarkable speed on her feet.
The dog pulled her along like a train.
Its lead stretched as tight as a well-rigged rein.
She stumbled for balance while running away,
Boots drumming the path in a frantic ballet.
I’m certain she wondered for many a mile,
“What was that odd fellow concealed in the wild?
A botanist? Birder? Escaped from the zoo?
Or something the council forgot to remove?”
I stood there half-laughing, half-covered in mud,
With reeds on my hat and boots full of sludge.
If I’d caught my reflection, I might well agree...
I’d have startled myself if I’d stumbled on me!
So while you admire this elegant view,
Remember the tale that brought it to you.
A Parallel Dream, so peaceful to see,
Concealed quite a different reality.
For somewhere a lady and her dog still shiver in fright...
Thanks to the marsh monster that rose into sight.